5.11 Tactical Products

5.11 started in Modesto, California as a clothing line created by rock climber Royal Robbins. Upon reaching the top of a climb in Yosemite National Park, Robbins noticed that the pants he was wearing were not suited for climbing and decided that he needed to design something more durable and with better functionality. Robbins and his wife Liz owned a boot and clothing company, Royal Robbins LLC, and began manufacturing specialty pants by the name of 5.11 in 1968, which had a trademarked strap-and-slash pocket design.

The name 5.11 comes from the highest rock climbing difficulty level that was listed in the Yosemite Decimal System, which was developed by Royal Robbins, the founder of 5.11 Tactical in the 1950s. The difficulty level is somewhat jokingly defined as, after thorough inspection, you conclude this move is obviously impossible; however, occasionally someone actually accomplishes it.